A Beginner’s Guide to Testing and Debugging Your WordPress Infoproduct Business
If you’re selling infoproducts on WordPress—like online courses, eBooks, coaching services, or membership communities—your site needs to work flawlessly to keep customers happy and sales flowing. That’s where testing and debugging come in. These skills help you catch and fix issues before they hurt your business. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll explain what testing and debugging mean, why they’re crucial for your infoproduct success, and how to get started with simple steps to ensure your WordPress site runs smoothly.
What Are Testing and Debugging?
Testing is checking your WordPress site to make sure everything works as it should—like your product pages loading, payments processing, or course content displaying correctly. Debugging is finding and fixing problems when something goes wrong, like a broken checkout or a missing download link. For infoproduct sellers, these processes ensure your customers have a seamless experience, from browsing to buying and accessing their purchases.
Think of testing as routine maintenance and debugging as your repair kit—together, they keep your digital store in top shape.
Why Testing and Debugging Matter for Infoproduct Success
Your infoproduct business relies on trust and functionality. A glitchy site can tank your sales fast. Here’s why mastering these skills is a must:
Prevents Lost Sales
A broken link or slow page can stop a customer mid-purchase—say, abandoning a $97 course because the “Buy Now” button fails. Testing catches these issues early, keeping your revenue intact.
Builds Customer Trust
If your membership login fails or an eBook download doesn’t work, customers lose faith. A bug-free site shows you’re reliable, encouraging them to buy and return.
Saves Time and Stress
Spotting problems before launch—like a coaching form that doesn’t submit—means fewer panicked fixes later. Debugging skills let you solve issues quickly, keeping your business on track.
Protects Your Reputation
A site that crashes during a big summit promo looks amateur. Testing ensures smooth performance, so your brand shines as professional and dependable.
Common Issues to Test and Debug
Here’s what can go wrong on a WordPress infoproduct site:
Broken Links
A dead link to your course page or download file stops sales cold.
Payment Glitches
If your checkout fails, customers can’t pay for your coaching or memberships.
Slow Load Times
Laggy pages frustrate buyers, especially on media-heavy sites with course videos.
Plugin Conflicts
Mixing tools like WooCommerce and LearnDash can cause errors if they don’t play nice.
Getting Started with Testing
You don’t need to be a tech whiz to test your site. Here’s how to begin:
Check Key Pages
Manually visit your homepage, product pages, checkout, and download areas. Click every button and link—does everything work? Try it on your phone too.
Test Payments
Run a test purchase with a plugin like WooCommerce in sandbox mode (fake money). Confirm the order goes through and the customer gets their product.
Use a Staging Site
Make a copy of your site with WP Staging to test changes—like a new theme or plugin—without risking your live store.
Try Different Browsers
Open your site in Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Some styling or functions might break in one but not others.
Debugging Basics for Beginners
When something’s off, debugging helps you fix it. Start small:
Turn On Debug Mode
Add this to your wp-config.php file to see error messages:
define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );Check the log file in wp-content/debug.log for clues—like a plugin error crashing your checkout.
Deactivate Plugins
If your site’s acting up, turn off plugins one by one via Plugins > Installed Plugins. If the issue stops, you’ve found the culprit—say, a conflict slowing your course pages.
Check Theme Issues
Switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Three. If the problem goes away, your theme’s code might need tweaking.
Look at Error Messages
A blank page or “500 error” means something’s broken. The debug log or your hosting error logs can point you to the fix—like a typo in custom PHP for a sales page.
Tools to Make Testing and Debugging Easier
These beginner-friendly tools can help:
- Query Monitor: A plugin that shows what’s slowing your site or breaking it.
- Browser Dev Tools: Right-click your page and select “Inspect” to see errors in Chrome or Firefox.
- WP Reset: Resets parts of your site to troubleshoot without losing everything.
- Health Check & Troubleshooting: A built-in WordPress tool to test plugin and theme conflicts.
Start with Query Monitor—it’s free and shows you what’s up in plain English.
How Testing and Debugging Boost Infoproduct Sales
Picture a customer ready to buy your $47 eBook. Testing ensures the “Add to Cart” button works, and debugging fixes a payment glitch before they give up. Or imagine launching a membership site—testing confirms logins work, and debugging stops a plugin crash from locking users out. These efforts keep your sales funnel flowing and your customers smiling, turning one-time buyers into repeat fans.
Real-World Wins
A quick test can catch a broken download link, saving a 20% drop in conversions. Debugging a slow checkout during a course launch can rescue hundreds in lost sales. It’s all about keeping the cash coming.
Avoid These Beginner Mistakes
Keep it simple and safe:
- Don’t Skip Staging: Testing live can crash your site—use a copy.
- Back Up First: Use UpdraftPlus before debugging, just in case.
- Don’t Guess: Check logs or deactivate systematically to find the real issue.
Conclusion
Testing and debugging your WordPress infoproduct site keeps it running like a well-oiled machine. By catching problems early and fixing them fast, you protect your sales, build trust, and keep customers happy—whether they’re buying courses, eBooks, or coaching. Start with basic tests, use simple tools, and watch your business thrive.
Need help keeping your site bug-free and sales-ready? Contact OptSites via our contact form below today. We’re WordPress pros who can test, debug, and optimize your infoproduct business—let’s make it a success together!